Geely’s Zeekr unit unveils ultra-fast-charging EV battery in China’s electrification race

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Zeekr’s upgraded lithium-ion-phosphate Golden Battery can offer 500-km driving range with just 10.5 minutes of charging

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Daniel Renin Shanghai

Published: 10:20pm, 13 Aug 2024Updated: 10:25am, 27 Sep 2024

Zeekr Intelligent Technology, the premium electric vehicle (EV) maker controlled by Geely Auto, has unveiled a new battery technology that can offer a car a nearly 500-kilometre (310-mile) range with just 10.5 minutes of charging, as the industry steps up the electrification process.

Zeekr’s self-developed lithium-ion-phosphate (LFP) battery, dubbed Golden Battery and installed on its 007 electric sedan, supports 800-volt ultra-fast charging and assures owners of “swift and reliable” performance, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. The 75-kilowatt-hour battery, when fully charged, allows a car to go as far as 682km, it added.

“Thanks to the optimised materials and upgraded technology, the speed is higher than what is achieved by existing nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries,” Zeekr said. “It’s a new achievement by Zeekr’s in-house e-power-train research and development team.”

The costs of producing NCM batteries are about 30 per cent higher than its LFP types, but they offer an EV a longer mileage on a single charge, according to industry data.

A cross-section of a Zeekr electric car, seen at the company’s office in Shanghai in May 2024. Photo: Bloomberg

“Zeekr’s newest battery and battery technology is an example of how Chinese EV assemblers are challenging legacy carmakers,” said Chen Jinzhu, CEO of consultancy Shanghai Mingliang Auto Service.

“Higher penetration rate of EVs has encouraged more producers to upgrade their technologies.”